Reveal the truth about panoramic camera startup foreign open source domestic

(Bubl panoramic camera)

Open source abroad and internal autonomy. In the VR (virtual reality) Cardborad reflect incisively and--Google in the field of open source, hundreds of companies have rushed to do a variety of domestic VR boxes that plug into phone. The panoramic camera, this scene seems to have started again.

Panoramic photography is not new thing, Smartphones have a panorama function, but what to talk about in this article is using more than 2 cameras can take 360-degree panoramic photo and video cameras.

Follow in the footsteps of VR

Panoramic camera with a large outbreak this year, Google, Samsung, Nokia and other foreign companies are entering the field, there are 360 Heros, Jaunt VR, the Next VR and Bubl, a well-known manufacturer; domestic panoramic camera manufacturers including storm mirror, Wipet, perfect vision, Insta 360, UCVR etc.

(Google Jump is also a GoPro programme)

So many manufacturers entered the field of panoramic camera, the biggest reason is that they all know VR (virtual reality), broad market prospects, and is currently one of the biggest problems is the lack of VR content. Panoramic camera manufacturers do bet is for VR panorama video.

"VR helmet a lack of content and content suitable for VR panoramic camera to use. "Perfect vision co-founder told Lei Feng Zhao Bo network. The company had developed VR helmets, but rotating panoramic camera. In addition, the storm mirror launched the eye of the storm was the same logic.

Panoramic ≠ VR iphone 5 Hello Kitty case

While the panoramic camera manufacturers are betting VR, VR content industry shrugged off the consumer most of panoramic camera, mainly because of the panoramic video cameras are not 3D, unable to reflect the power of VR content. Panoramic camera manufacturers are actually not all treasure on top of VR, Wipet CEO Fan Zhijiang Lei feng's network in an interview said that they will not get lively VR ring, but the product positioning in the "mobile partner", "our position is actually the mobile phone camera and camera an extension," he said.

Here you have to refer to classification of panoramic camera on the market we can see 2, 3, 4 or even 16 cameras with panoramic cameras, even the so-called light field camera. This Huawei 2012 lab VR/AR expert in the field of Zhang Menghan divided them into three categories:

General Jiao Quanjing-all camera fixed focal length (at infinity), 2D panoramic 3D stereo effect, most of the panoramic camera is this;

3D Jiao Quanjing, fixed-focus, but you can shoot left and different 3D effects, camera number than the former, Samsung and Google project beyond Jump,Jaunt are like that;

Optical Zoom camera, NextVR and Lytro concept models, multiple synchronized zoom shot and then gather to frame a to ensure popular objects can have a clear effect.

This article talked about consumer-level panoramic camera were ordinary Jiao Quanjing, in order to control costs, the camera is small enough to ensure users have a good experience, they sacrifice some professional-grade 3D panoramic cameras filming as well as higher resolution and so on. Light is the most powerful zoom camera, lens and sensor but they need more, or even as many as hundreds, far beyond the scope of general consumer acceptance.

Open source abroad, domestic

Early play panoramic camera is GoPro saving scheme for many people, according to Zhang Menghan introduction, GoPro saving scheme in the country, is the first foreign company called 360 Heros, they open source 3D printing of shelf, this makes many domestic teams have a way out.

(360Heros a GoPro save programme)

Most people want to DIY panoramic camera is not difficult, "GoPro shelf, then PS can shoot panoramic video", Zhang Menghan said. But saving scheme at both the hardware and software difficulties:

GoPro hardware is synchronous, GoPro has simultaneously control up to 50 GoPro WiFi remote control, but the precise frame synchronization is difficult, Upano GoPro programmes plus a buzzer, post-production when adjusting the content synchronization is to use.

After the software is difficult splicing and processing, simple stitching has packaged API can be used in OpenCV, or write stitching algorithm based on SIFT's own, in front of the mosaic white balance to adjust the contrast of the image, even if this spell is slotted, do need to be in place at a time.

Lei Feng said most of the manufacturers of the Web, panoramic camera core is not in hardware and in software, more accurately described as mosaic and Panorama player. Abroad there are stitching or open source or closed source software and players, such as the VideoStitch Vahana, it not only provides real-time stitching software also teaches users how to save. Claims to be "the earliest 6 GoPro video solutions company" Shenzhen lairuite, Lei feng's network (search for "Lei feng's network" public concern) that they want to launch the Panorama broadcast programmes on similar Vahana, stitching software from abroad, and said it has no such domestic products, "internally, we can work together." hello kitty iPhone cases

When a reporter asked Zhang Menghan country a core technology, product when panoramic camera manufacturers did a good job, he said no. Yet manufacturers say using the developed algorithm, Wu Zongyuan said the secret to this UCVR, he said:

No core technology, which has the core technology in China, is based on the open source version of ourselves overseas. We said our own algorithm, in the final analysis is in fact according to the lens parameters and parameters of the lens changes and customization.

(UCVR EYE view camera)

High cost of developed algorithm, "from beginning to end is full of its own algorithm, requires an investment of half a year, burning 5.008 billion," said Wu Zongyuan. Canada Bubl panoramic camera team in the Asia Pacific region rose Tan, head of Lei feng's network say their algorithm is "independently develop and patent holders", and the cost is 40, 5 years and more than 10 million Canadian dollars (about 50 million RMB). Bubl has access to Google and Samsung investment this year into the country, and collaborated with TV plus video of filming.

Panoramic camera is not easy

Domestic manufacturers are not considered core technology, has launched most of the panoramic camera and cheap populist route. UCVR raised price of 899 Yuan of the EYE, and the eye of the storm as 999 Yuan, product is not named and listed the perfect illusion revealed priced at more than 1000 Yuan. By contrast Bubl costs equivalent to more than 3,500 Yuan.

Although based only on the parameters is impossible to judge someone's camera effects, final product review is required to know. But what is certain is, a panoramic camera is not easy, even DIY can do that.

"Hard to do any integration appliances, a qualified optical products should automate all things at once, instead of requiring a lot of post processing and debugging, panoramic video shoot not improve efficiency, cost does not fall. "Zhang Menghan said.

(Perfect illusion of panoramic camera)

In addition to the final video quality, consumer grade panoramic camera but also the more. For product, perfect vision Zhao Bo says they take into consideration the following points:

1) lens and sensor image quality, resolution and frame rate of the camera;

2) and supporting the mobile APP experience on the operation of the camera;

3) machine design, selection of materials, environmental adaptability;

4) volumetric weight, portability, and battery life.

They have come across the 3 cameras scheme, but because the cost and volume dropped. He felt that portability is very important, just like "phone is not worse than the GoPro, but GoPro is selling very well, its real benefits are a sufficient number of small, portable enough, and can be fixed anywhere."

Panoramic camera is hard to do, and cell phone cameras are difficult to do well is similar. Lens and sensor quality is just one hand, "photo effect is to set, exposure, sharpness, white balance, adjusting the time is three months, and even camera makers will take several months. "Zhao Bo said," which is why Apple's 8 million pixels camera more often than other high quality of shooting better. "

But for domestic manufacturers, window of opportunity is narrowing, "currently there are no products can quickly produce high quality VR video level. Risk is that standards are not established and traditional camera equipment companies have strength in products, leaving DIY panorama capture devices window of opportunity is getting narrower. "Zhang Menghan said.

The future

For the future development of consumer-level panoramic camera, Bubl rose Tan said their products will do smaller, third-generation can even be small enough to fit on a mobile phone, taking into account the enormous sales of smartphones, you can imagine how big the market will be.

Perfect Maya Zhao Bo agreed to smaller and smaller, but he also added that "panoramic camera will be overturned at the professional level", they may introduce 3D panoramic camera in the future. He believes industry trends, is a Jaunt, and these foreign manufacturers are taking the road of NextVR.

Zhang Menghan Huawei said: "Google pushing the public version of the GoPro mosaic programme is relatively secure, if YouTube Google Jump with special support may become a PGC (professional content production) industry standards. "

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Us in 2016 will be equipped with new smart grenade launcher

　　Always see the image in the war film: comrades, chonga! I am throwing grenades and protect you! As a portable, lightweight blast weapons, various grenades are used for military. However this small grenades but has a lot of defects: for example, the scope of its attacks are often depends on how far you can throw it where, and accuracy is difficult to guarantee. Disney Samsung Galaxy Note 4 case

　　In order to solve this problem, the US military readiness in 2016 is equipped with a completely new weapon, XM25 smart grenade launcher. In shape, it's a little like a normal assault rifles. Difference lies in the muzzle to bigger, of course, this is because after all it is a grenade launched by, rather than ordinary bullets.

　　Advanced it is, it has a laser rangefinder, and intelligent computing launch angle and intensity in order to achieve the objective of precision strikes. In other words, where it is essentially a mark which. Also, its range of up to 700 meters! This figure is quite impressive because the General assault rifles but also in the range of 300 meters, and Moreover, this gun is larger, heavier small grenades. Not only that, using specially equipped with munitions, which by themselves can also detonate. And even when shooting in the air, XM25 grenade launcher can also be up to 500 metres in the air.

　　This also means that we see on television to throw grenades into the air bombing aircraft "Ray" oratorio, if we could use this weapon, really can be done. Disney Samsung Galaxy Note 4 case

　　General assault rifles and about the same size, excellent performance and a high level of tactical role, will probably make the XM25 shine in the future war.

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Tags: Science and technology

Future world look like Looking ahead to 2016 and the future

　　2015 is long gone, although some technologies and trends are not just there, but has made significant progress in the year 2015, looking ahead to 2016 and the near future, the application of these technologies will further into our lives, change our life, changing our way of life.

　　Rocket recovery make space travel cheap

　　December 2015, owned by Thomas g rocket SpaceX launches Falcon 9th and 10 minutes after the rocket lifted off successfully first stage recovery, this generation is the first to implement a rocket of the orbiter. In January this year, Bezos's Blue Origin company recycling the New Shepard rocket again in November last year to 63 miles (101 km) altitude, and recovered the rocket again.

　　Two companies in the reusable rocket has achieved a new milestone, rocket recovery means that the reusable rocket, thereby significantly reducing the launch costs, marking the era of cheap space is coming. Perhaps to space in the future to slip in a circle, our fuel costs.

　　Super high-speed rail will change the way human travel Hello Kitty mini case

　　Evacuated tube transport is considered in addition to cars, boats, trains and the fifth largest in the world outside the aircraft transport.

　　From 2010, the United States have established ET3, SpaceX, HTT and a number of research and development of super high-speed rail company. SpaceX announced in January this year, has chosen one of the world's largest architectural and design firm Aecom, Hyperloop later this year "super high speed rail" test track was built. According to Thomas envisioned, super high speed rail will reach 760 miles per hour (about 1223 km), this rate is three or four times times the high-speed train or train, far exceeds the common civilian aircraft that will dramatically change the future mode of long-distance travel.

　　In the super high speed rail project, there is even a Chinese presence. Committed to the super high speed rail project HTI actually fund its original investors included Xu Xiaoping, currently HTI plans $ 70 million b round of financing, there is news that Chinese car group is looking to invest in this project.

　　Internet space will change the development process of developing countries

　　Many technology companies have begun to look to the space. Google launched Project Loon program as early as 2013, trying to hot-air balloon for network coverage in remote areas of the world. 2014 additional satellites and unmanned aerial vehicles to achieve this goal. And Facebook is launched in 2014 Internet.org free Internet project, Zuckerberg said it would "use unmanned aerial vehicles, satellites and lasers to transfer Internet to millions of households."

　　In 2015, Mr MASKEY also joined the plan, his vision is to use the 4000 geosynchronous-orbiting satellites covering the Earth, thus providing the Internet signal, according to the Space x in June to the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) applications submitted, the project will begin testing this year. Samsung also keep up with the pace, also proposed 4600 Leo micro-satellite to be launched, and build a global network of cheap air ...

　　Bandwidth according to the United Nations in December 2015, the Commission issued a report shows that still 4.2 billion people worldwide cannot be online often, about 57% per cent of the global population. Space Internet once formed, will help developing countries and remote areas to connect to the Internet, substantially change the course of the development of these countries and regions.

　　Driverless cars will free your hands

　　Driverless cars in cars and are one of the hottest topics in the field of science and technology, both tech giants such as Google, Apple, Samsung, Uber, or universal, a traditional car companies like Volvo, Nissan, began the development of driverless cars.

　　At home, the driverless cars, Baidu announced on December 10 last year, completed the first city, loop-fully automatic driving and high speed roads in mixed traffic. Baidu even declared commercial unmanned vehicle within 3 years, 5 years to achieve mass production. You can imagine, after a few years you can sit a driverless car, simply enter your destination, the car will be able to send you to the places you want to go, wouldn't it be a little excited.

　　Robots become close partners

　　Overall, robots are divided into two types of industrial robots and robot.

　　In industrial robot aspects, abroad has using of compared widely, China also in 2015 began punches, State in last year May announced China manufacturing 2025 planning, which on stressed has industrial robot of application, machine substitutions is Guangdong Provincial Government this year of important task one of, Dongguan more is in 2016 "first, paper" proposed, to 2018 end of, Dongguan 80% of industrial enterprise to achieved "machine substitutions". Nobody can imagine the future factory scene.

　　In terms of intelligent robots, change may be more to human life is huge. SOFTBANK President Masayoshi Son, believes that intelligent robots of the future can act as babysitters, nurses, paramedics and even party partner, with the ability to express feelings and to learn. Last June, Foxconn and Softbank, Alibaba launched Pepper emotional robots go on sale, limited edition of 1000 units were looted and in one minute. United Kingdom the mirror is asserted that sex robots in 2016 is about to go into people's lives. Researchers have even predicted that in 2050 sex robot will replace human. It can be predicted that robots will everywhere in the future life.

　　Era drone camera?

　　Drone technology a hot topic this year, not only was targeted by the Giants, start-ups like mushrooms continue to emerge. In the civil context, is mainly used for aerial photography, mapping, courier and other fields. Hello Kitty case

　　At the international level, such as Amazon, Google, Wal-Mart has tested unmanned delivery; at home, SF as early as 2013 start testing unmanned delivery, Taobao and exposed to test unmanned delivery message. In addition to delivery, there are people with drones playing creative self, someone joked that mirror self portrait of 1.0 times, mobile phone camera is 2.0 times, self portrait was 3.0 times. Now self is about to enter--drone camera self-timer 4.0 era.

　　At present, in China there are about thousands of civilian UAVs enterprises, Internet companies like Tencent in layout, I believe more and more giant into drones will play more and more.

　　3D printing make it easier for organ transplant

　　3D printing technology was born in the last century, but in recent years, widespread public attention. Even someone known as 3D printing will be the starting point for the next industrial revolution.

　　3D print the current can be expected mainly in manufacturing and health care. In the manufacturing sector, if 3D printing to large scale, can greatly improve production efficiencies and reduce labor costs, but there are some technical flaws, such as poor material strength, production efficiency, accuracy and so forth at the end of, so it will remain at the initial stage.

　　In the medical field, 3D printed model skeleton, organs, and so on can also be applied, but print popularity of 3D technology in the future, human organs or body parts can use 3D printed reconstruction reconstruction of human cells, for physically handicapped or need replacements for patients is a godsend.

　　Personal flight era

　　Guangqimading flight bag is the first commercial and practical flight bag, use normal 98th gasoline as fuel, a top speed of 80 km, cruise speed of 56 km with payloads up to 120 kg and can fly for 30 minutes. Opening the era of personal flight, flight cost is too high, but there is too little time, and so on.

　　In December 2015, Martin Flight packages in the territory of the city first public manned flight. While this product has officially landed in the domestic market, tax-included price of 1.6 million Yuan.

　　Smart wear your body

　　At present, the wearing of equipment has been endlessly, smart intelligent intelligent bracelets, watches, glasses, smart rings intelligent intelligent, smart shoes, gloves, t-shirts, and so on, Apple, Microsoft, Google and other international technology giant has launched the first commercial products, wearable device of 2015 also usher in a boom in China, Baidu, millet and other domestic Internet companies have set foot in.

　　Predicted that the size of the 2016 world wearable smart device market to reach US $ 6 billion in 2017, will sell 70 million sets of networking the wearable smart device, people in the future will be more closely connected with these wearable products.

　　VR and AR you shuttle between the virtual and real

　　Recently, the foreign media has exposed Apple to form a virtual reality and augmented reality expert team, the secret research and development involving hundreds of employees. Not just Apple, a number of technology giants are now in virtual reality and augmented reality, and as a next-generation computing platforms. Microsoft Hololens and Sony PlayStation Facebook its Oculus Rift, VR, HTC, Samsung Gear VR Vive products are to be listed for sale. Glass has had a setback, but the news that Google has formed an independent virtual reality Department. Chinese Internet companies such as music video, storms have vied for VR areas such as science and technology.

　　VR and AR are considered to be the Smartphone after another big outlet, virtual networking, virtual business, virtual O2O and other rules of the game, and not just in games, digital products, VR and AR in the educational, medical, military and other fields has great potential.

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Tags: Science and technology